Introduction

About the Spanish State Health System

The rules for getting state healthcare in Spain are different from those in the UK. The NHS is a residence-based system, which means that all you need to access health care in Great Britain is to be `ordinarily resident' (see the `Returning to the UK' info leaflet). In Spain however, the system is contribution-based, which means that normally you must have paid into the social security system in order for you and your dependants to get state healthcare. These social security contributions can be paid by your employer or by yourself as a self-employed worker.

If you are not paying into the Spanish social security system you may also get state healthcare if:

·         You are in receipt of a UK State Pension, long-term contribution-based Incapacity

Benefit or Bereavement Benefit (apply for an E121 form);

·         You are an early retiree to Spain and have been resident here less than two

years (apply for an E106 form);

·         You are a posted worker for a UK company;

·         You are a dependant of someone who falls into one of the categories above;

·         You spend less than 6 months of the year in Spain and have a valid UK European Health Insurance Card.

Information leaflets on how to apply for, and use, the E121 & E106 forms, as well as the UK European Health Insurance Card, are contained in this pack.

Please remember - if you do register with the state health system in Spain, it is
important to de-register with your GP in the UK. Likewise, if you decide to
return to the UK, then you must de-register with the Spanish authorities.